Displaying items by tag: Biomass

Ireland: A court has ruled that the Irish government need not pay legal costs for Environmental Trust Ireland president Michelle Hayes' challenge against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in mid-2022. Hayes unsuccessfully sued the EPA for issuing Irish Cement with a licence to use alternative fuel (AF) at its Limerick cement plant in May 2021. The AF will comprise up to 90,000t/yr of waste tyres, biomass and/or mining by-products.

At the costs hearing, the court noted that Hayes had already caused the EPA to incur 'very significant' legal costs. The court said that Hayes 'sought to have the taxpayer pay even more.' It added that, as a solicitor at Hayes Solicitors Limerick, which represented her in her unsuccessful challenge, Hayes stood to effectively benefit from any recuperated costs. The court concluded "It would mean that legal practitioners like herself are paid by the taxpayer for bringing environmental litigation which is unmeritorious."

Spain: Mexico-based Cemex and its venture capital subsidiary Cemex Ventures have invested in Waste to Energy Advanced Solutions (WtEnergy), an energy startup company that has developed a process to transform solid waste into synthesis gas (Syngas) for industrial purposes.

WtEnergy converts biomass and non-recyclable waste into Syngas, which can be used in the short-term as a fossil fuel alternative or be upgraded in the medium- and long-term to gases such as biomethane or pure hydrogen. Cemex intends to incorporate this energy source into its clinker and cement manufacturing process, looking to further reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. Cemex aims to increase its fossil fuel substitution rate by 20% by 2030.

Gonzalo Galindo, the president of Cemex Ventures, said, “This investment aligns with our strategy to find innovative clean fuel and energy sources for the cement industry.” He added, “We have outlined an ambitious rollout strategy across multiple operations, starting with Spain and other European countries before expanding to other international markets.”

Germany: Zement- und Kalkwerke Otterbein plans to invest Euro10m in upgrades to its Otterbein cement plant to increase the sustainability of cement production there. The new equipment will include a hot gas filter SCR catalytic converter system. The producer says that this will install the facility as one of the lowest-CO₂ cement plants in the world. Local press has reported that, after commissioning the new system, the company plans to increase its approved substitution of biomass as fuel to 100% from 60%.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement says that it co-processed 89,000t of waste as alternative fuel (AF) in its cement production as a group in 2021. The Nigerian Guardian newspaper has reported that the source materials consisted of biomass, waste tyres, fly ash and oil-based waste.

Speaking on International Mother Earth Day on 22 April 2022, head of AF projects Peter Anagbe said that the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable waste management through its advancement of local community recycling projects.

US: Cemex USA plans to increase its rate of alternative fuel (AF) substitution at its 2.2Mt/yr Brooksville, Florida, cement plant to 30%. It will also increase its AF use at its 1Mt/yr Demopolis, Alabama, cement plant. At both plants, the new fuel mix will include biomass. The producer says that it will complete the plants’ transitions before 2023.

Philippines: Holcim Philippines says that its waste management partner Geocycle processed 200,000t of biomass and industrial and municipal waste into alternative fuels (AF) and raw materials for use in its cement production in 2021.Global Cement previously reported that Holcim Philippines co-processed 100,000t of AF in 2020. The company is targeting 70% AF substitution in all of its cement production.

Canada: St Mary’s Cement plans to apply for a licence to substitute alternative fuel (AF) for a part of its coal, gas and petcoke fuel mix. The plant previously held a two-week AF substitution trial in May 2011. CBC News has reported that the subsidiary of Votorantim Cimentos will present its plan at an evening meeting for the general public on 18 November 2021. The company says that it plans to implement similar AF arrangements to those at its Bowmanville plant, where it uses 90,000t/yr of biomass, wood from construction and demolition and non-recyclable paper and plastics.

Environmental manager Ruben Plaza said "Lower CO2 emissions is the first consideration and, equally as important, the material has to be approved and available in sufficient quantities with a reliable and sustainable long-term supply."

India: Dalmia Cement has sought to acquire 2Mha of land from the government for use in bamboo production. The company plans to use the bamboo to produce bio-based alternative fuel (AF) for its cement production. BusinessLine News has reported that the company plans to obtain brownfield sites in order to restore them to grow the crop on.

Norway: Norcem plans to invest up to Euro8m on upgrades at its integrated Kjøpsvik cement plant to improve its receiving, handling and feeding of alternative fuels. The project will be implemented by 2023. The work will include installing new storage and dosing systems for waste oil, FAB pellets and bone meal.

India: JK Cement has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Punjab Renewable Energy Systems (PRESPL). Under the agreement, PRESPL will supply its technologies and forward-integrated value chain for use by JK Cement in scaling up alternative fuel (AF) substitution at its cement plants. The transition will focus on biomass-based fuel use.

Managing director Raghavpat Singhania said "As we embark on our journey towards decarbonisation, we commit to this MoU that allows us and PRESPL to build deeper synergies in the bio-energy sector.” He added that the agreement promised ‘a better future with a win-win for the environment, people and energy in India.’